HC Deb 06 December 1989 vol 163 cc271-2W
Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the future of spent fuel reprocessing within the United Kingdom.

Mr Michael Spicer

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Southwark and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes) on 26 June 1989 at column356.

Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the progress of the research into the extraction of plutonium from intermediate level waste.

Mr. Michael Spicer

I am advised that the nuclear industry has concluded a programme of research on this topic which indicates that while it is technically possible to remove a proportion of the plutonium from plutonium contaminated material, it is not economic to do so, taking account of dose rates to operatives and the effects of such reductions in terms of storage costs and long-term risks from disposal. The nuclear industry is not proposing further work in this area at present.